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Homebrewing began in the late 20th century when President Jimmy Carter signed legislation to legalize homebrewing. Since that time the high gravity home brewing community has grown exponentially, especially in recent years. In the 20+ years since that time, home brewers have been troops of what can only be called the “beer revolution.” Some have wondered why more people are home brewing now than ever before?

Recent Legal Changes

Today, there are 1.2 million home brewers in the United States. Just 20 years ago, there may have only been a few thousand. While it became legal at the end of the 20th century, some states didn’t allow home brewing until recent years. Mississippi only began to allow brewing beer at home in 2013 and Alabama was two months after them. Although these two states represent a large portion of the United States, home brewing can take some time to develop. As these states have changed their laws allowing home brews, there has been a noticable increase in beer making.

Home Brew Is Economical and Enjoyable

Brewing beer is actually a fairly economical hobby. For example, many home brewers use recycled bottles which saves on cost and the materials used to make beer are fairly inexpensive. The initial ingredients will be a little pricey but the cost is lower over time, especially as the brewer’s skill level increases. Home brew kits are a good place to get started, but since the brewing process is fairly straightforward, most brewers learn the process quickly and are able to cut their costs without sacrificing quality. Additionally, some ingredients can be used multiple times which saves on costs. Yeast can be reused up to six times. The yeast can be extracted from the primary fermentation and used to grow a new batch.
Many brewers also find that they appreciate the craft and camaraderie that they find through brewing. Amateurs who are just starting out may find that they learn from a local brewing association. These are great places to network with other beer enthusiasts and work on your own process along the way. Beer brewers tend to be social people who love to learn from others. Joining a local association is a great idea whether you’re new or you’ve been brewing for years. In recent years, the number of brewing associations are growing as well. They provide tastings, tips on brewing, and also a social arena where you can explore a fun and lighthearted atmosphere.

Individual Brewing Preferences

There are thousands of beers available today, and each caters to a difference taste preference for the drink. Home brewing allows you to experiment with beer and get the flavors that you really want. While you may initially start off brewing with some basic ingredients, most brewers find that they’re able to tweak their recipes and find options that are both unique and enjoyable. Some brewers experiment by cultivating their own yeast strains, aging beer in wine casts, or even changing the composition of the local water supplies. It’s no surprise that home brewers are giving some of the professionals a run for their money.

Limited Time Investment

Many hobbies take up a huge amount of time but home brewing doesn’t mean that you’ll lose a large chunk of your life in the process. Brewing is actually a great hobby for anyone with a busy schedule because it doesn’t take a lot of work to brew a batch of beer. Extract brewing takes a few hours over the span of a few weeks and even all-grain brewing only adds a few hours to that time. Although some home brewers find that they do want to dedicate a lot of time to this craft, you can choose to spend as much or as little time as you’d prefer. Also, every batch that you make will last you a fair amount of time so you probably only have to brew once every few months or less.
Home brewing has a more recent history but it’s become an amazing popular hobby for people across the country and around the world. It’s a great hobby for anyone who enjoys beer and wants to brew their own. Home brewing allows for economical choices along with the added bonus of personal taste preferences. These are the primary reasons why so many people have turned to brewing as a hobby